Yes I have lived there and I have spoken to hundreds of people who participated in that 'show.' Not that one would need to go so far to figure out that people dressing and behaving in such a manner are not trying to bled in and go about their business without being noticed.

Sangetsu sounds like a very fun day. There is always something interesting to photograph in Shibuya i think thats one of the reasons why i love it so much. Thanks for sharing.

Not so much, most of them go there to be seen by each other. Many were wearing folded scarves across their faces, while others were actually pushing the tourists back and telling them to stop taking pictures.

It gets worse each year. 3 years ago there were not so many tourists, but now there are more tourists taking pictures of people than there are people to take pictures of. 25 cosplayers being photographed by up to 100 foreign tourists... do you get the idea now? Harajuku used to be a place were people dressed up and would hang out with each other. Now it's become a freakshow for tourists.

Thanks for posting this. It's getting me even more excited for my upcoming trip over there.

As for Harajuku, I have zero interest in fashion, yet all the people I tell I'm going to Tokyo want something from there. I guess thousands of years of history and culture isn't cool enough.

I have heard that to really appreciate Japan, one needs to actually get away from the larger cities and get into the country side. I couldn't say if that's true or not, since technically I would be one of those idiot American tourists, who inadvertantly breaks half a dozen taboo's just cause it seems to be something Americans are good at. :o

However, I know "New York" isn't America anymore than Tokyo is Japan. I live in Iowa for instance, so country bumpkin is prolly more apt.


I supect tourists in general have a type of hearding instinct and cluster in areas where they feel comfortable. kinda like how folks of similer tastes cluster together in the school cafateria.

it's True.

Oh brother...

And the people who go there know exactly what it is and how and by whom they will be 'observed.' Tourists have been going to Harajuku for a loooong time now.

Yeah but on the other hand, when you think about it... they're just trying to live their lives. Tourists are just ephemeral, fleeting. Of course they're going to BE there, but I'm sure the residents don't want to be interacted with by them. I think they go to Harajuku and do cosplay because that's the only really culturally accepted place for them to do it. Hm...

Edit: After looking through the "Harajuku pics" photo gallery I gotta say some of them are asking for it XD

But Sangetsu, as you said before, we all know how overbearing (and embaraing for u foreign reident) foreign tourists can be ;)

I could understand that. I would feel uncomfortable if tourist from another country were trying to befriend me as well, simply because you won't likely see them ever again. Most people probably don't want to expend too much emotional energy on fleeting encounters.